Why are women and children sometimes more challenging to hear than men? As proof, perhaps you have noticed that some men claim they can’t hear their wives’ voices when they are restating the “to-do” list. That’s a joke, but it is rather common for individuals to struggle to hear the voices of women and children. Let’s find out why, and what you can do about it.
Exploring the effects of hearing loss at high frequencies
Females and young people frequently have voices that are higher in pitch, and this can impact how clearly they are able to communicate for people who have trouble hearing high frequencies. It is the most common kind of hearing loss.
A person might notice they can pick up on quiet noises, yet struggle to hear what their kids or grandkids are saying to them. Women have 165 to 255 Hz, whereas men have 85 to 180 Hz.
High-frequency hearing loss can make it harder to hear consonants in speech, such as t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, which cause speech to sound jumbled.
Here are a number of other sounds that might be difficult to detect or hear clearly.
- Chirping birds
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-frequency musical instruments like a flute
What are the intrinsic factors that contribute to hearing loss at higher sound pitches?
This issue is often an element of age-related hearing loss. Moreover, damage to the tiny, hair-like sensory cells found in the inner ear can result in increased difficulty in perceiving high-frequency sounds.
Extended exposure to loud noises, including those encountered at concerts or in noisy workplaces or surroundings, can also add to the issue. Additional factors that increase risk include heredity, particular medicines such as aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also connected.
High-frequency hearing loss in kids could impede the development of their speech and language skills. Older adults may face the danger of experiencing dementia, depression, and falls.
Managing hearing loss in the higher frequencies
While high-frequency hearing loss is permanent, using hearing aids can considerably improve the clarity of high-pitched sounds by boosting their volume, resulting in a sharper and more distinct auditory experience. An audiologist can program your hearing aids to meet your individual needs.
Participating in a business meeting, talking on the phone, having meals, or talking with your grandchild can be improved. Most contemporary hearing devices can stream to your mobile phone and come outfitted with directional microphones for accurate sound customization. Your wife will be pleased as an added advantage.
Book an appointment if you think you have high-frequency hearing loss.